As I said in the beginning of this story, that though I've been a fan off and on I just officially started watching GH again after the train wreck. Some of you have complimented me on the ability to write my characters as they are and for that I am grateful as I am with all your reviews. Just knowing that people have taken the interest they have and the time to read means more than any of you know. I'm going to be wrapping this one up soon and I just wanted to warn you that I'm not too familiar with the history between Emily and my villain and only have what little bit I've been able to find to work with. So please forgive me if I get something wrong and it doesn't sound just right. Thanks.

EM

Chapter 22

Ten-year-old Michael Corinthos kept feeling the box in his pocket as he paid close attention to the guards assigned to protect him. His dad was really upset after Aunt Emily left but what his dad didn't know was that he had gotten close enough to a window to witness the whole thing and when Sonny had gone back to the house Michael walked through the remains of what had been his Aunt's home for the last few months.

What Michael couldn't understand is why Aunt Em left in the first place. Didn't she love them anymore? Just because she was upset with his dad didn't mean she had to be angry with him and Morgan. She didn't even say goodbye. As he was leaving his foot kicked something towards the wall. It was the little package he was now carrying and his mind began to form a plan. He asked Leticia if they could go out to a movie and maybe to his grandpa's cafe. The nanny was reluctant at first but knowing that the mood in the house was shifting she went to ask his father. Sonny agreed hoping that the boys would calm down enough and get a good nights rest before tackling their first visit with their mother tomorrow.

Max usually accompanied them on these outings but tonight he had given the reigns to a different detail. The boy smiled. These guys were pushovers. He was on a mission to find his Aunt Em and there was nothing standing in his way. But where would she have gone though? Not to the Quartermaines he was sure, as young as he was they even annoyed him. Uncle Jason's maybe, if not he'd look somewhere else but for now that's where he would start. Michael got up and headed for the bathroom with the guard following close behind.

"Hey can a kid have a little privacy?"

The guard chuckled and took his position outside the main door. What he didn't know was that the bathroom had two entrance and exit points. By the time he had realized this it was too late and the boy was long gone.

……………………………….

The two women settled back against opposite ends of the couch. Sam listened quietly allowing Emily the freedom to talk about her feelings for Sonny without the fear of someone telling her how crazy she was for even falling for Port Charles' top of the list bad boy. She didn't speak until the other woman finished.

"So if you and Sonny are both feeling the same vibe for each other then why did you leave? I mean Emily obviously you two have formed a connection. What's so wrong with exploring it for all it's worth? Personally I think you and Sonny would be good for each other."

Emily chuckled and placed her cup on the table. "You'd be the only one. Jason, not to mention my family or friends…"

"Jason would come around. He's just scared Em. You know the life they lead. Everyday they have to deal with a new threat. But don't under estimate your brother Emily. He's smart and even he knows that as dangerous as it would be for you and Sonny together it would be even more so if you were apart. Jason also knows that you are not like any other woman Sonny has cared about and the lengths he would go to take care and protect you put him high up on the favorable side right now. As for everybody else I think you need to decide what's good for you for a change and not worry about pleasing them."

The other woman sighed. "Ok maybe you have a point but let's face it Sam. I'm damaged goods. I pushed my own husband away and I don't want to do that to Sonny."

Sam shook her head as if to clear it using her hands to push her hair back behind her ears, leaning forward. "Wait a minute, is that what this is all about? You think that just because you hit a rough patch in your life that you're not good enough for him?"

Emily stood up and began to pace. "Sam it took me months to begin to heal after the rape and even now it still haunts me." She turned to face Sam. "After my failure with Nikolas I never dreamed I would ever want to be with another man again and as much as I want to be with Sonny I'm afraid that at some point I'll freeze up. Then guess what Sam? I will have hurt him all over again. No it's better this way," turning to walk back towards the window.

Sam got up to stand behind her friend. "Don't you think that's a decision for Sonny to make? Emily he's been there with you through all this. He's been your shoulder to lean on when Jase and your other friends weren't around. All I'm saying Em is that he might just surprise you with what he's willing to take on for you." She decided to change the subject. "Hey are you hungry?"

Emily realized what she was doing and laughed. "Yeah," she nodded, "come to think of it I am."

"How about Chinese? There's a really good place about four blocks from here. I'll walk over and get us something. We can warm some up for Jason when he comes home."

"Sounds good. Give me a sec and I'll go with you."

Sam shook her head as she started to put her jacket on. "No. You just stay here. Go grab a shower or something. It might make you feel better. Always does me when I have a lot of stuff on my mind. I won't be long."

Emily agreed. "By the way thanks Sam. For listening I mean. I'm glad my big brother has somebody like you in his life."

Sam grinned. "Me too. You know that man would be so lost without me."

Emily laughed as Sam went out the door. She sat down to reflect on what the other woman had said. Was she being totally fair to Sonny and for that matter herself? Did she really deserve to be as happy as Sonny made her feel? Letting out a long sigh she grabbed the empty coffee cups and headed to the kitchen to place them in the sink never noticing the slightest turn of the front door knob.